Wait … what?
Did we really just predict that Clemson University’s wide open aerial attack – led by Heisman Trophy candidate Tajh Boyd and 2011 All-American Sammy Watkins – would be held to just 20 points this weekend?
Surely not … and certainly not against a Georgia defense that’s been forced to replace virtually everybody (Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree, Kwame Geathers, Baccari Rambo, etc.) from last season. No way … no frickin’ way.
Also, remember the last time a fifth-ranked Georgia team came into a super-hyped Palmetto State stadium? With ESPN’s College Gameday presiding over the festivities? Yeah, it ended poorly for the Bulldogs … very poorly.
And there’s an argument to be made that Death Valley tonight will be a much more hostile environment seeing as this is the biggest game eighth-ranked Clemson has played under head coach Dabo Swinney.
All of the experts are projecting a shootout between the Tigers and the two-time defending SEC East champion ‘Dawgs – who have their own Heisman Trophy candidate, Aaron Murray (click here for a QB comparison). Heck, the Vegas odds makers are predicting at least 70 points will be scored between the two teams.
But is the smart money on a lower scoring game? Obviously, we’re guessing it is …
There are two main reasons we’re predicting Georgia will win this game by at least two scores – Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. These two stud sophomore running backs amassed more than 2,100 yards last season and scored a combined 25 touchdowns. Gurley averaged 6.2 yards per carry in 2012, while Marshall averaged 6.5 – numbers which no doubt have kept Tigers’ defensive coordinator Brent Venables tossing and turning for months.
Gurley is 6-foot-1, 235 pounds while Marshall – who played at around 200 points last season – has added 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason. They are quite simply the best 1-2 running back tandem in the country, and while Clemson’s defense was marginally better against the run a year ago than it was against the pass – it hasn’t seen anything like these two backs.
With Murray’s skill at completing short flip screens and intermediate reads complementing these two workhorses – and all five offensive linemen returning from last season – Georgia has the ability to control the tempo of this game. Which of course will keep Boyd, Watkins and the rest of Clemson’s potent offense off of the field.
As mentioned, Georgia’s defense is a totally unproven commodity – and we suspect it will be exploited by offensive whiz Chad Morris. But if the Bulldogs control possession – as we suspect they will – it makes it that much harder for Boyd and Co. to establish a rhythm on offense.
Clemson shocked us last year with a gutsy victory over LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl – and they could very easily prove us wrong again. In fact if Georgia is unable to establish the run, Clemson could win in a blowout. But we think Gurley and Marshall will wind up being too much for the Tigers to handle.
What do you think the score of tonight’s game will be? Post your prediction in our comments section below …
UPDATE: Oops. Final score: Clemson 38 Georgia 35.
18 comments
UGA still starting that white walk on safety? Yea, they holding Clemson to 20 points….
What does “white” have to do with it.
oh come on that’s pretty funny. +2 to CU Vinny for that one.
The white guy got burnt for at least 2 TDs and should of been more if we didn’t drop every damn pass.
Clemson 45, Jawja 27
Boy, If Ga. holds the Tigers to 20 points tonight then they will be National Champs when the year is over.
From the magik of the round dice…………
CLEMSON 41 === GEORGIA 36
And we have a winner! Nice work.
Clemson 27 -Georgia 21
Why not pick the home team since you know nothing about it anyway?
Clemson without a doubt. Georgia is usually a slow starter!
Go Dawgs!!!
With FITS’ track record with predictions – specifically the zillions of stories predicting the imminent indictment of Governor Haley – you can rest assured that I am not calling my bookie and putting any money on these numbers . . .
What do you predict for Penn State and Syracuse Orange?
Penn state was picked to win by 8 points. They won by 6 points,
Good game tho since both teams had freshman quarterbacks.
Chris Hackenberg from PSU made 2 long touchdowns, made 22 out of 31 passes for 273 yards. He’s the quarterback to watch.
CLIMPson 38
Gaw Guh. 27
41-34 Clemson. If there’s one thing we all can agree on is that the Dawgs need to lose, no matter which of us is playing them.
Love the oops!